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words. We are to sell the opium monopoly of the Philippines to the highest bidder, and ex- pect to get $100,000 a year out of the deadly traffic. But we still go the English one better in the matter of hypocrisy, for we hates to announce that we are going to devote the money to "the work of education" One part of that education might well consist in teaching the Filipinos from what a past we have fallen.

THE INDIAN VICEROYALTY.

The Bombay correspondent of the Standard declares that it would not be far wrong to say that the practically unanimous wish of India is that Lord Curzon shall no thuve a successor, at least for the pr sent. A couple of years exien- sion of office is what is catiestly hoped for by nearly all classes of the community. Native priblpinion, 10 far as there is such a thing. is practically unanimous on this point. The whole commercial community desire nothing more than that ford Cum should remain as Jon as possible in India. In official ches Civil and military are not quite so enthusiastic regarding his rotinuance in office. This is perhaps natural enough, for it is against officiald min some of its worst aspects, hat Lord Curzon bas, from the beginning, waged a strenuous and successful warfare. His aim throw bour has been to get rid of the mass of red tape and routine which clog the wheels of efficiency, to reduce to a minimum the Minute and Report writing so dear to the alti -ial heart, to run the railways, the post and the telegraph services, and other large Government moro- palies more in accord with the needs and spirit of the ge; and in a word, to endeavour to get the Civil Service to consider themselves as such, and not as despots, however benevalent. regardless alike of the wishes of the community and the needs of the times," As for the Army, the writer derlares that it is no doubt the case that the Viceroy incurred some small measure of unpopularity through his supposed attitude in such malle's as the case of the Ninth Lancers, hut an he whole the desire in the part of the best informed of officers is that Lord Citrzem may remain; for it is frankly and fully recognized that his Frontier Policy is wise and able, and that he has done much to further the fighting efficiency of the Army in India.

THE LONG TRAIL,

A DAY AT HONGKONG,

Once again, after days of lonely voyaging through bleocean solitudes, the faint shapes of distant hills appear one fresh breezy morning; and you go on deck to find the ship steaming between high green-clad islands towards a medley of mou fins beyo d. The air is crisp and exhilarating. The ses is dotted with brown-sailed junks. Lines of white surf are breaking on the island shures. The atmos phere has something of the clearness after rain, and the sky has deepened to a tenderer hus than the pitiless steel-blue you have grown so weary of Even in May, the approach to Hongkong on a fine moto ng brings back memories of summer seas in northern latitudes, and makes you forget for a space that you are still in the tropics. You feel, as a light wind fans your check, and you watch the junks labouring over the dancing waves, that at last you are entering a zone where it is possible to make holiday. Gone is the langourous sill. ness of Penang, the oily sea of the Stra is the clammy enervating heat of Singapore tere, where the hills proffer an earnest of coolness, life again becomes liveable; and you are moved to envy the fortu aid peop'e of Ilong. kong, who dwell aunid such an environment, and do not know when they are well off

stare, as

If you happen to be revisiting Hongkong after a prolonged absence, you the vessel skirts the long steep slopes that tead upward to the Peak, to see how the place has grown in the last few yous. Your eye lights on a little building clinging to the edge of a spur high above you, where you were wont to sit of a morning and look down upon green valleys without a single habtution. Now you see new roads hewn in the mountain side, aud new houses planted about, and signs of expan- sion everywhere. It is the same when you traverse the narrow channel between Green Island and Victoria, and enter the beautiful harbour. The hand of the builder is visible all along the shore and the lower slopes. And as you turn towards the mainland, and mark the long rugged line of the heights behind Kow. loon, you remember that years ago the authori tles used to discuss whether those high ridges might really be made a menace against the colony. Now they have bern leased to Great Britain, and with them a great tract of land has passed into our possession. The cu tous thing is that, unless une's recollection is gravely ai fault, it was the military experts who used to clamour for an extension of the Kowloon fron- tier, and to talk of forts upon hill-tops; but nothing seems to have been done to strengthen the defences of the colony in that direction. Perhaps it is now considered unnecessary to do so, yet the former chiefs of the garrison did not appear to think so

The Massilia passes sply along the harbour towards the wharf at Kuwhon, through dozens of sampans and jyrks and steam "launches. The

smart launches of Hongkong are famous all over the East. Even the hotels possess their own, a speres of enterprise impossible in India owing to the customs regulations Presently, when we are safely moored, and have watched for a space the junks passing to and fro, and the long lines of shipping that throng the waters of Hongkong, a friend comes off in a trim launch and swiftly conveys us ashore. The hospitable portals of the palatial Hongkong Club are always wide ajar for the pissing stranger, and in ten minutes we are made free of its precincts. There is a certain spontaneity and promptitude about the hospitality of the Far East that never fails try strike the stranger familiar with the farmality and the comparitive aloofness of India, The Hongkong Club is a splendid structure, and contains, among other allractions, library with many thousands of volumes, and a read- ing room with more newspapers and magazines than the present writer has ever before seen collected under one roof east of Suez-

These little runs on shore form an agreeable break to the monotony of a long sea voyage. Your s'eamer runs with the punctuality of an express train. Days before, you are informed that at such an hour, on such a day, you will arrive at a certain place; and prompt to the minute-if the sea is as propitious as it has been to us-the vessel glides alongside the wharf. You land, and with the aid of patient bank clerks wrestle with the knotted intricacies of the local currency. You do a little shopping, you buy a few photographs and a curio or two, you scribble a note to a friend-in fact, you

behave precisely as the Compleat Globetrotter does in every port of call the wide world over. If you are in this pleasant island of Hongkong, you stare a little at the Chinese swarming in the streets, you scurry 'about in rickshaws drawn by aloft conlies, you sent yourself in a chair alung on a pole, and are carried to take tea with a friend, you stroll to the funicolar railway and climb the Peak to look once more upon the magnificent view of the harbour at sunset. And then, as night closes in, you're turn onca more to the Club; and though you are ten thousand miles from homa, It will be add if you do nos chance to spy amid the men

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, AUGUST.

there some well remembered friend whom you fancied was far away in England.

Talk in the twilight on the verandab inevit ably drifts round, in the und, to local politics. But first you inusi listen to the equally inevit able explanation that you have struck Hong- It is a kang, on a phenomenally cool day tale that you have heard in every port; but this time you to not smile incredulously, for after Singapore you think Hongkong ́u refreshing paradise. But your friends point. up to the Peak, towering above you," and declare that while for ten days the city at the water's edge has been a Turkish bath, the

summit of the mountain has been shrouded in a thick and uncomfortable mist; and they show you the clouds gather'og envelop it again, You preach contentment to them, and think how the great cities of India would rejoice is in ten minutes they could reach an altitude of eighteen hundred feet, with a difference of several degrees in temperature. It is like being able to go from Bombay to Matherac to dine and sleep, in half the ting that it takes to reach Malabar Hill from the Fort. Then you hear tales of the horrors of the famine now devastating the province of Kwangsi and horrid whispers of places where human flesh, first de voured ju sheer despait, has not been forsaken when rice has become available. Then there is the ever-present plague to be told of, and how Hongkong, a ter enduring the pestilence intermittently for ten years, has just passed through the worst epidemic in his yet known. In spite of their longer experience, they are only now learning Hongkong what was re.lised in India two or three years ago, that in a great Asiatic city plague operations can only be palliative, and that rigorous preventive measures undertaken at heavy cost are reinous in their financial «ffect, prodúctive of discont- | ent too serious to be faced, and gravely imper. fect in their results. There is talk in some quarters of large schemes for rebuilding insanitary quarters, and a little de-truction has already been accomplished; but to a mere bird of passige it seemed hard to discem where the money was to come from. The prevention of plague remains an insoluble problem; the possibility of its extinction will probably en- gross science for many a long year to come. Meanwhile one of the few certain dicta is that there is much virtue in disinfection.

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more about themselves and their successors. When all the villas at the Peak are in the possession of rich Chinese, the English of Hongkong will arise and curse the apathy of their brethren who went before them.

It will then be too late. But-it is not too late now.-Times of India.

DOOM OF THE CURRENCY NOTE

FENNY WISE, POUND FOOLISH.

Calcutta, 12th Jely. The Government of India contemplate stop- ing by legislation the practice by the public of remitting money through the post by means of currency notes exceeding five rupees in value. They intend to withdraw the privilege whereby currency noles are not only cashed at the office of issue but also at the presidency town in which that office is situate.

Their view is that while the public remit money in currency notes at a trifling cost for postage, the Government has to carry billion and pay transport charges to places where notes are cashed.

The inten.io of Government it to introduce a system of treasury transfers which the public will be able to take advantage of by payment of a nominal fee.

Allahabad, 12th July,

The Pionter says that the Government of India is apparently quite decided upon re-intra- ducing at next Calcutta session a measure which will cancel the present convertibility of sub circle currency notes at the headquarters of the respective circles. The case for the curtai'ment of the powers of the sub-circle note seems to that journal transwerable.

LIFE IN LHASSA.

THE MYSTERIOUS THINETANS,

Details of an interesting journey lately com- pleted by M. Zybikoff, a Russian explorer, have now been received.

While travellers of various nationalities have attempted, without avail, to penetrate to the sacred city of Lhassa, M. Zybikoff succeeded in reaching that place and residing them for Afterwards, you hear of the land revenue

twelve months. It was owing to the fact that be was a Buddhist and familiar with the questions coining op fasettlement in the Now Territory. Away around the Kowloon Hills language of Thibet that lie succeeded in cater- Eglishadministrator are for the first time finding the country as a lama in the summer of ing themsel es is intim te contact with the land 19:0, by way of the Boumza mountain, where

Przbevalski was turned back in 1879. system of China. Their experiences sound like echoes of the work of the earliest revenue offi- Of Lhassa itself M. Zybikoff says that it has cers in lumbay and Madras a century ago. Far picturesque location on the southern slope of be it from me to attempt to describe an under a mountain, with luxurious gardens. The taking I have not even seen; but they seem to itch River passed to the south of the city, have complications of their own that India through which dykes and canals have been knows nothing about. The minuteness of many constructed as a protection against overflows.

A STREET FOR PENANCES, of the holdings is one of the chief difficulties; in one area alone, two hundred and eighty

Surrounding the city is a fine broad sweet, thousand claims to microscopic patches of land which serves for religious processions and pen. are said to have been recorded. Then the itential exercises. Penitents go the length of Chinese have a cheerful habit of owning this street, falling to the ground every five or a piece of land in one place, and another ten six feet, so that in a day they prostrate them. miles away, which adds to the muddle; and selves about 3,000 times. The city, though there are certain heads of clans whe seem to small, having at most only 10,000 regular correspond to zemindars, with a difference, and inhabitants, is an important commercial centre, manage to make confusion wore confounded, the native traders being all women. The only clear fact I carried away was that very Buddha. It is about 140ft, square, and is three In the centre of the city is the Temple of littlresenue has been obtained so far; but it is au intensely interesting experiment, of an im-storeys high, with three gilded Chinese roofs. portance far more than locil, so when chaos has been reduced to dso der perhaps someone will tell us all about it.

Finally need it besaid?-we hear grumbles about the rise in rents, and vague forebodings of the day, when the rich Chinese would oust the uropeans from the possession of the Peak. To anyone who knows certain cities of India, the forebodings are not vague at all; the band writing was-wait large upon the wall five years

azo.

Then few people in Hongkong would listen to the warnings of a casual stranger and that they are growing a little appre within their gates; now, it is almost a relief to hensive. For the changes then predicted are coming to pass. The Chinese are rowing rapidly in wealth and influence, and some of them delight to live in large houses and outvic the European, They have crept up slowly from the borders of the harbour, until they have ac quired many of the houses in the fine terraces immediately above the business city. Suon few of these will remain to the Europeans, and then the Chinese will cast longing ees at the fine villas on the cool heights of the Peak. They have plenty of money, and can outbid the Englishman, with his diniinishing income, his costly tips to Europe, and teu often his

establishment in two countries at nice. When

will look do

the Chinese start a scale the Peak, they will go there with a rush; and thus it will come to pass that, serene in their Infty retrats, they pon the unforeseeing English sweltering nights in the city that their fore. fathers squandered their lives to create as the graves in the Happy Valley bear mate witness. It will be a sight for some Chinese Teüfals. drock to moralise over, as he sits alone with

the stars.

contains the gigantic bronze statue of Buddha, dress, in front of which butas a sacrificial fire which has a hammered gold jewelled head-

statues and relics are kept in other chambers fed with melted butter. A number of other of the same temple, among which is the statue of the goddess of women, to which are offered spirits and wheat. The wheat is at once eaten mice. The sacred edifice also contains

rooms for the Dalai Lama and his council,

CHINA THE CHIEF POWER.

Since the 15th century, all power, civil and spiritual, has been nominally in the hands of Manchu resident and an army. In order to the Dalai Lama, but China maintains a avoid strife in selecting a Dalai Lama, the electoral council places three strips of paper with the names of three boys in an urn, and the Manche resident removes one with a small staff. The boy indicated on this piece of paper becomes the new Dalai Lama His education is then entrusted to a college of learned men, and, until, his 22nd year, the Government is in the hands of a regent ap- pointed by the Emperor of China. The pre fith since 1806, one of the regents having dis- sent. Dalai Lama is 27 years old. He is the posed of three while children.

The Dalai Lama's council, in whose hands he actual power mainly resides, embraces four so-called "Galons," appointed by the Emperor of China. The administration of the country in the hands of a closed aristocracy, and bribery and corruption are nearly universal. Among the common penalties are drowning, torture, flogging, banishment, and fines,

SMALL UNDISCIPLINED ARMY,

The Thibetan army consists of 4,000 poorly disciplined men, armed with bows and old. fashioned guns. Robbery flourishes, The explorer declares that the population is only about 3,300,000, and that it is decreasing through disease, particularly smallpox, and on account of the large number of celibate priests. Foreign residents in Thibet are Indians from Cashmere, Mongolians, and Thibetans from Nepal, the latter being skilled artisans, architects, sculptors, and jewellers.

Almost all the land in Central Thibet be- longs to the Delai Lama. Only high officials in

bassa have hereditary homes. Thibetan houses are built of brick and stone, and are devoid of chimneys, except in the kitchen, The other rooms have holes to let the smoke escape, and are cheerlessly cold. Dried dung is the principal fuel. A curious custom with regard to clothing is that the common people wear white, the wealthy red, official yellow, and soldiers blue garments of homepun. Jewels-are worn in great abundance by the

women.

FOOD, MORALS, AND PURSUITS.

This is no fancy picture. Anyone who has lived in India, with his eyes open, can see it coming in Hongkong Already, one hears, the Europeans on smaller wages-not tose born in the colony, but those who have migrated thither with their wives and families are in some instances living in one or two rooms in tenements in the midst of Chinese. Those with good incomes are finding it in creasingly difficult to get houses in cool localities at reasonable rents; soon, if they do not take care, most of them will find them- selves shouldered off the Peak altogether. I is all very well for Excellencies and Council lors and People's Tubunes to deblatterate with one eye on the Colonial Offi.e-fine sentiments about impartiality and Imperial magnanimity and so forth; but one who is not ashamed to be an Engli-hman first, in this matter of decent dwellings in our tropical Possessions thinks first of his own kith and kin. It is all very well for rich bankers and mei- chants on the verge of retirement to say, t The chief articles of diet are barley meal, wise last our hoe but they should remember soup, the raw flesh of the yak and of sheep, also these who will have to come after them. butter, sour milk, and vegetables. Wheat Hongkong is a British achievement. It was a spirits sell for a cent a bottle. Men smoke to. desolate island when Great Britain acquired i.bacco and priests take snuff. Medicine is in To reseve that portion of the island best suited small popular favour. for the residences of Europeans, for their sole and marriage ties are loose. Both polygamy Morals are primitive use, would involve no injustice to the Chinese, and polyandry are common. Haidly a single Chinese has invaded the Peak

Agriculture and cattle-mising are the prin so far; and I have held, ever since I first saw cipal employments. Wheat, barley, peas and Hongkong, that all fand above a certain beans, cattle, sheep, yaks, horses, 29161, and altitude should for purposes of residence not mules are the main products. Yaks and asses for ownership of property-be declared a

are used as pack animals, Labour is cheap, European reservation. The arguments that men being paid two or three conts a day, while the Peak is costly to live at; and that there are

women usually serve in return for their keep. plenty of good dwelling-houses at Kowloon, Even a lama receives only to cents for a whole do not affect the contention that the Peak day's prayers. should always be kept clear of Chinese. Nor, M. Zybikoff has brought back a number of It may be urged, does the proposed European photographs and drawings. These will be in reservation in the New Territory-which the cluded in a book which he intends writlog. Colonial Office vetoed, modify materially what has been here set down.

A large European THE Nippon Yusan Kaiths has made a new quarter in the New Territory might be difficult departure in the issue of bills of lading covering to defend in an emergency it would be more insurance, acting on the practice in vogue remote from the business centres than the abroad. Under these bills of lading-goods will Peak, and neither so cool nor so healthy,

be issued against marine and fire risks during Possibly this outburst may cause a smile transportation and landing, up to a week after here and there in Hongkong; but if it were not the arrival of the goods at their destination, foredoomed to be forgotten la a day, I do not The issue will, however, be limited to goods think it would be smiled at twenty years hence handled by the Tokyo brach of the firm for Fisture English dealers in Hongkong will the time being, but will gradually be extended wish that their predecessors had thought a to all branch offices should the result prove little less about the Navy League, and a little satisfactory-Bachange,

IMPORTED SUGAR.

1, 1903.

Consul General Kosákavitch does not know who will be in charge of the San Francisco The rules, published with the notification of branch of the bank. At various times different the Government of India, dated the 14th

names have been mentioned in connection August, 1902, for the identification of sugar

with the position of manager or agent. Who- chargeable on importation into India with an

ever is selected will be a person of ability, and his mission, in addition to managing additional or special duty provide that the cer tificates of exporters relating to sugar shipped finances of the institution here, will be from a port in any country other than the to promote friendly feelings with the people. United Kingdom shall be attested by the Bri- The ports to the north of San Francisco on tish Consular Officer at the port in such coun

Puget Sound have been boasting that they try. It has now been brought to notice that would do the business between the United sugar is shipped to India from certain ports in

States and Russia. Significantly the Russians Java, and from Penang, Hongkong and Mauri- select this port for the establishment of the first

of their financial branches on the Pacific, tius, where there is no British Consul; and the Goverment of India have been pleased to decide that at the ports mentioned the signa tures of certain specified officials may be ac- cepted by Collectors of Customs in lieu of the signature of a Consul, unless the Collector considers in any particular case that further inquiry should be made. In the case of sugar liable to additional or special duty shipped to India from other ports at which there is ne Brilist Consul, the Collectors of Customs should exercise the discretion allowed to them.-Rangoon Times.

BAD FREIGHTS,

THE SAD CONDITION OF THE BRITISH SHIPPING. TRADE.

At the present moment, when the Zollverein with all that it means in the way of damage to the carrying trade, is being considered, the condition of British shipping is of special interest. There is no doubt that the shipping companies are passing through a serious crisia due to insufficient freights.

It is true that there are only some half-dozen

" VENGEANCE" AND "GOLIATH" the number of ships lying up is no test of the

The recall of the Goliath from the China her place, raises once more the question as to Station, and the despa'ch of the Vengeance in what is wrong with certain ships of the Canopus class. The Goliath was completed in 1900, years' commission; but the Ocean has been in and hs, therefore, served practically a three-

commission as long, and if it were a case of efflux of time, the natural course would be to recommission her on her station with a new A YACHT MISSING.

crew. We are, therefore, bound to conclude that some, at any rate, of this class are not BOUND TO THURSDAY ISLAND!

satisfactory. The Canopus, also completed in A letter has been received by Captain S. G.

1900, is already at home in dockyard hands, Green, marine superintendent of the E. and A.

She is a Portsmouth-built ship, engined by the Company in Sydney, from Chekenham, Vic-

Greenock Foundry, while the Gollath was tria, written by a lady who is anxious to know other ships of this class, the Ocean was built at built at Chatham and engined by Penn. Of the the whereabouts of her brother, Mr. Arch. Singleton, who was until recently secondThe faults, whatever they may be, however, Devonport, and the remaining three by contract.

officer of the E, and A. steamer Guthrie.

Miss Singleton writes to the effect that her brother and two other young fellows left Sydney on March 22 last in a small yacht called the Eagle, bound for Thursday Island. According to the letter, these venturesome mariters intended calling at Townsville or Cairns (Q) en route, but since their departure from Sydney! nothing whatever has been heard of them hence the anxiety of the re- latives of young Singleton and his crew.

Bad weather has been experienced along the whole of the Australian coast since the Eagle took her departure, but Singleton was know to be a good navigalor, and may have sought shelter, or stood away to sea.

The letter has been forwarded to Captain Edie, Superintendent of the Department of Navigation, who has notified the Queensland shipping authorities, and requested that a sharp lookout should be kept off the Queens land coast. Meantime Miss Singleton asks that other shipmasters going north, or by the Thursday Island route, might also keep a lookout for the little vessel.

THE DEFENCE OF CHINA. A meeting, the like of which has never before occurred in San Francisco, took place at the Washington-street threatre in Chinatown, San Francisco. last month. Nearly 1,000 Chinese were wedged into the building, and they listened carefully while a numberof their coun- trymen discoursed on the needs of China and the methods whereby she could gain her right prising feature of the whole proceeding, how ful place in the political world. The most sur ever, (says the S. F. Call), was the fact that the adherents of the Empress Dowager and those who opposed her sat on the same stage. The oppos tion is largely made up of what is called the reform element The former Chinese Minister at Washington, and, in fact, most of the Chinese dignitaries, have frowned upon this fac ion, and for this reason the gathering is notable. The speakers ardently

advocated the spreading of education through out er native country and the provision of ways and means for détence against the in cursion of foreign powers particularly Russia.

The principal speaker was Chan Chun Seen, late assistant to the Chinese Consul-General here and at present occupant of the chair of Chinese at the State University. He explained that the meeting was for the purpose of establishing branches of a great society lately formed in Shanghai, known as Quark Mun Woo, which, literally translated, means "Nation, Men, Society." A more liberal tran slation would be the Society of Patriots. The purpose of this society is the regeneration of Chin. It has the secret support of the Em peror, but its adherents dare not designate it the Emperor's party for fear of bringing down upon their heads the wrath of the Empress Dowager,

An appeal was made for practical help in the shape of money, which was liberally responded

to.

The editors of the two Chinese daily papers, the Chinese World and Chung Sai Yat Po, acted as financial agents, and were active in furthering the purpose of the movement.

This is the most decided stand on record taken by the Chinese in this country toward a nationalistic movement. Its leaders believe that it will have a wide significance. They say that, while it is the generally accepted idea that patriotism has long been sleeping in the breast of the Chinese, a few more such meetings as that held in June will disabuse

the world of this notion.

THE RUSSO-CHINESE BANK.

AN IMPORTANT BRANCH.

A branch of the great Russo-Chinese Bank will be established in this city, states the San Francisco Call of 21st June. With the progress digious breadth of the land of the White Czar of the gigantic railroad that spans the pro-

and the march of the Russian arms to their

manifest destiny of wide dominion on the

Pacific, the Goanciers of Russia bave kept pace. The Russo-Chinese Bank was established by a great aggregation of capital, equal to many millions of American treasure, for the purpose of facilitating commerce between Russia and China The establishment of a branch in San kevitch, probably means that the facilitation of Francisco, so says Consul General Paul Kon- commerce between Russia and San Francisco

is in view.

are evidently in the boilers; yet the Vengeance, engined by Vickers, is most favourably known as a reliable ship. Here are further paradoxes for the Boiler Committee to reconcile about the behaviour of the Bellevilles.

That the Goliath is coming home on account of defects is further proved by the fact that the moment of her recall is a most inconvenient one for the Admiralty. The Russell relieved the Canopus in the Mediterranean, and the Ex- mouth is on her way to relieve the Pictorious. But though the Duncan and Albemarle should ship at present which can take the place of the be available almost immediately, there is no Vengeance. While, therefore, the China Squa- dron is not strengthened by the change, the Mediterranean Fleet will be one battleship be low strength for a short while-or, twa if we reckon the Bood, whose place was not filled. Moreover, the Repulse and Ramillies are quite out of place in our principal fighting feet, and it must be the desire of the Admiralty to re- place them as soon as possible. It is not a very serious matter, as the four remaining "Duncans" will be availble almost directly; but it points clearly to the fact that the Canopus class have not fulfilled expectations. The Re now, also, ought to be relieved as soon as pos. sible if the promised, homogenity is to be obtained.

Though the exchange of the Vengeance for the Goliath will not strengthen the China Squadron, the despatch of the Leviathan will she will be the flagship of Rear Admiral do so to an appreciable extent. It is said that Asheton Curzon-Howe, the new second-in- knock on the head the idea that a flying command. Her despatch to China appears to cruiser-squadron is to be formed to visit all parts of the Empire, with the object of linking up the various squadrons, though the King Alfred is still available for the purpose, The cruiser squadron in Chinese waters, with the Leviathan and Cressy at its head, will be formidable enough for all purposes, for there are four firs, two second, and two third-class

against eleven Russian and four French. With protected cruisers as well-or ten in all-as the Japanese in our scale, we have nothing to fear in the Far East.--St. James's Gazelle,

GREAT BRITAIN AND CHINA.

THE FUTURE OF MANCHURIA.

The London correspondent of the Birming ham Daily Post has excellent authority for stat ing that, as soon as possible after his arrival in Peking, Sir Ernest Satow, the British Minister to China, is,to join with the Japanese Minister in pressing China for a direct understanding with regard to Manchuria. His Excellency, it is understood, has obtained from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs a much greater freedom of action generally than has ever been given to a British Minister in Peking.

Sir Ernest Satow, who has had long con- ferences with the Viceroy, was to have left Simia on 13th or 14th inst. next to proceed, via Calcutta and Rangoon, to Peking, In deference to his own wish, the Ambassador to China has not been interviewed by newspaper correspondents.

The London correspondent of the Liverpool Daily Fort understands that negotiations are to be at once initiated with a view of securing the presence of the Prince of Wales at the meeting of the British Association at Cape Town. There is a widespread feeling through out South Africa in sympathy with the idea, and not a few of the more prominent Boers who fought against us have associated them selves with it

THE NEW P. & 0. FREIGHT CARRIERS

TWO OF THE COMPLETED VESSELS.

A brief reference was recently made to the new and large freight-carriers being built at home for the P. & O. Co. and additional parti. culars are now to hand of two of the completed vessels.

The Pers, which was launched, just before the last mail left, by Messrs. Workman, Clark & Co. Ltd., Belfast, is a twin screw steamer of 7,600 tons, and has been specially built to meet 496 feet long, 57.3 feet wide, and 35.9 fest the requirements of trade in the East. She is deep, and is fitted with necessary appliances of the most approved type for the expeditious bandling of large cargo. The cargo space is divided into six spacious holds, which have been specially arranged to provide unobstructed space for the reception of general cargo of the bulky nature associated with the modern

Eastern trade.

vessels lying up at the Lordon and India Docks, a number which does not represent any serious increase; but, according to the editor of the well-known shipping organ Fairplay,

state of trade, and for this reason many of the shipowners are running their vessels at a loss. Some of the ships are mortgaged to bankers money passing and an attempt at trade going and other people. When the mortgagees see on they feel satisfied. But the moment they see shipowers ceasing to trade they become alarmed and threaten to foreclose. In a good many cases, the foreclosing has actually taken place.

The depression, according to this authority, is entirely unprecedented. It is not so much the result of shrinking trade as of over-build- ing. The building of ships, in fact, bas out- stepped the progress of trade.

THE REGULAR PROCESS.

joural says "Prince Ching denies that ho Commenting on affairs Chinese, a home has signed any secret agreement with Russia regarding Manchuria and Newchwang." Why, of course, he does! Did anybody imagine that he would not deny it? But Prince Ching is a man who, as Honier says of Monelnus, will tell the truth if you press him-"for he is very obliging." With exquisite affability the Priaca admits that he has had some correspondence with the Russian Legation, that he has, in fact, sent thither a memoranduin mainly consisting of answers to the demands contained in M. de Plançon's famous despatch, upon compliance with which demands depends the date of Russia's evacuation of Manchuria. That, by the way, was the despatch whereof the very existence was denied at St. Petersburg until it was discovered that M. de Plançon had himself given a copy of it to the United States Minister at Peking. One would like to know what Prince Ching's answers have been, as no doubt, we shall know before long. Meanwhile, the regular process seems to be going on; Russla is gaining time, and is using it to consolidate her position in Manchuria, which is all the wants as yet. She can afford to wait.

CURRENCY OF INDO-CHINA.

The report of the Inter-Ministerial Com- mittee appointed in Paris to consider the question of the currency in French Indo- China has not yet been made public, though it is known that it has been drawn up. Sufficient seems to have leaked out, however, to give an indication of what has been suggested, and this shows that the statement we have pre- viously made is the correct one. It is pro- posed to get rid of the Mexican dollar as rapidly as possible, and to have the commer- cial dollar as sole legal tender. Sufficient of the latter dollars would be provided with the least delay to suffice for the wants now served by both classes of dollars. On this being achieved the Mexican would be demonetised.

Thereafter a similar course to what has been pursued in India, since the closing of the

commercial dollar worked up to £2.50 mints in 1893, would be adopted, and the

(it is said) by the starvation process. This figure would be in consonance with the pro posed rate for the dollar in the Straits Settle- ments, and for such other parts of the Far East as have carried out the process of con. version, or are engaged in doing so at present. The scheme, is of course, as feasible as that' being put in force in the Straits, but it has the prior advantage that there is a coin ready at hand to be established.-Z. & C. Express.

DISCOVERY OF IMPERIAL JADE.

It is announced in Washington that with the ments, Chinese Minister Sir Liang Chen has assistance of the States and Treasury depart-

at last succeeded in locating in San Francisco part of the Imperial jade, which, with other articles of value was stolen from the forbidden

Some

city during the occupancy of Peking in 1900. by European and American troops. time ago the State Department received in formation from Syracuse, N. Y, to the effect that the whereabouts of the jade could be as- certained by communicating with one, Fre service men traced Weizenburg from Campbell donck Weizenburg, of Campbell, Cal. Secret

having in his possession Imperial jade stones to San Francisco, and when found he admitted

which, however, he had deposited in a safe de- posit vault in San Francisco for safe keeping. He was not willing to voluntarily part with the stones, and a conference with the Chiness: Weizenburg is still in possession of the Jado, Consul does not appear to have had any effect.

and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to hold to his loot or whether he will yield to the pressure brought to bear upon him by the State Department and surrender the stones- to the Chinese Government.

T

PROF. SHARP AND THE ORIENTAL PROBLEM.

Prof. E. Hamilton Sharp, who is now in America, has been interviewed, and is reported as having urged a change in Canadian and United States immigration laws so as to admit Chidese labour. A Vancouver exchange of

th July says:-

Among the visitors to the City at the present time is Professor E. Hamilton Sharp, a veteran English educator, who for many year occupied the chair of English Literature in the University of Kyoto. Professor Sharp arrived here on the The Russo-Chinese Bank already has a

R. M. S. Empress of China, and since that· branch at Dalay, on Talienwan Ray, above Port

vessel's arrival in port has spent the time in Arthur, which is to be the great commercial

visiting Victoria and the cities of the Spund of Russia on the Pacific Ocean. Another

This is not his first visit to Vancouver as he was port branch is at Peking. The Siberian Railway

here some four years ago in company with his forks at Kirin and runs south through Mas

brother, who was unfortunately taken ili during The Palerme has been launched by Messrs. his stay and died here. The late Mr. Sharp churia, opon which the mighty Muscovite has

was engaged in business in the Orient and his placed his strong hand. At Fort Arthur is bis Barclay & Co. Ltd., at Whiteinch on the Clyde. great military station. At Dalay is the first of She is a sistership to the Pera. In addition brother is now winding up his estate. This his chain of banks that is already about to take tion for a limited number of passengers under during the greater part of the year and also a

to being a freight carrier, she has a commoda necessitates his residence in the Far East - in another link in this city, crossing the ocean the bridge in commodious state rooms. setting out toward the Pacific coast across Already the tide of travel from Moscow is

considerable amount of travelling between"? Oriental ports. Whenever possible. Professor Siberia and through Manchuria. The railway IT is reported from reliable sources that the Sharp always takes the Empress liners as he is completed from Moscow to Port Arthur. rebels are getting bolder day by day while the considers them the most comfortable vessels-- contract has been let for a Faliman service Government troops are proportionately getting on the route and he estimates that he has taken from Moscow to the Pacific. Thousands of more timid, taking flight the moment they think at least fifty trips in the C. P. R. steamships. Russian soldiers have travelled over the line to they see the slightest indications of the enemy On his last journey across, Professor Sharp the military posts. At last the dream of trade in the distance. Emissaries of the rebels, it is had Mr. J. D. Farrell, President of the Northern between the Russian empire and its friend, the also stated, bave recently posted up, during the Steamship Company, as a fellow passenger American republic, is about to be realized. email hours of the morning, on the walls of the and at Mr. Farrell's invitation accompanied Hence the significance of the establishment cities of Yungchou, Paoch ing, and Chinchou, him to Seattle in his private car. While in of a branch of the Russo-Chinese Bank in this large posters and placards in prominent places Seattle Professor Sharp was interviewed on the city. The Muscovite has seen that the time is informing the inhabitants that the invaders Chinese question and expressed himself as ripe for founding better financial facilities profess themselves to be followers of Confucius, strongly in favour of the repeal of the laws ke The Russo Chineas Bank is not a Ciovorumest that their aim is to make more powerful the cluding Chinese from the United States, the institution but it is countenanced by the Rus Yellow Race, to protect the Emperor Kwang abrogation of all present restrictions on the in alas, Government. In its management area from harm, and to remove from his Masgress of Chinese labourers, and the imposition sugared some of the foremost financiers of fasty's praiance, all traitorous and perfidious of such regulations only as shall confine the

| Mlalster of the Grown-N, G. Di NIWI, Isbour of Celestials to a very limited fold,